WiscWeeds

Wisconsin Cropping Systems Weed Science Program

Weed Science Knowledge to Academics and Practitioners

University of Wisconsin-Madison

About Us

WiscWeeds Program

Our Research and Extension Program (WiscWeeds) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison focuses on agroecologically-based approaches to address sustainable weed management in corn, soybeans and small grains in Wisconsin and beyond. Our program also focuses on weed management strategies that can help address herbicide resistance, protect water quality, enhance agroecosystems services and increase food security.

With warmer temperatures and rainfall in the forecast, cover crops will start growing rapidly; thus, it’s important to have a solid termination plan in mind prior to crop establishment. Herein we provide some research-based info to support growers’ decisions regarding time and strategy for cover crop termination.

With the anticipated increased adoption of Enlist E3 soybeans and 2,4-D choline POST-emergence (particularly targeting waterhemp control), this is an essential time to review some of the important information regarding 2,4-D choline applications in Enlist E3 soybeans.

The purpose of this post is to share images from some of the corn and soybean herbicide evaluation research trials conducted by the Wisconsin Cropping Systems Weed Science Program during the 2019 growing season.

Research Coalition

Given the widespread occurrence of herbicide-resistant weeds across Wisconsin Cropping Systems, the shortage of novel herbicide sites of action, and the socioeconomic and environmental challenges herbicide-resistant weeds bring to farming operations and communities, it’s time for our industry to come together and work towards a similar goal: to promote and hopefully achieve effective and sustainable weed control in crop production systems.

The objective of the WiscWeeds Research Coalition is to bring together Researchers, Educators, Policy Makers, Industry, Consultants, Service Providers, and Growers to work towards preventing the spread, reducing the selection for, and to increase the adoption of integrated management strategies to combat herbicide-resistant weed species. Through the WiscWeeds Research Coalition we expect to develop a strong relationship amongst key stakeholders allowing for effective exchange of materials, practical knowledge and research-based recommendations.

Team

Dr. Werle is an Assistant Professor and Extension Cropping Systems Weed Scientist at UW-Madison (from Sao Paulo, Brazil; BS from Sao Paulo State University, and MS and PhD from University of Nebraska-Lincoln) leading the Research and Extension efforts of the WiscWeeds Program (See “Werle Bio” tab for additional information).

Nick Arneson (Weed Science Outreach Specialist):

Nick is an Outreach Specialist at UW-Madison (from Omaha, Nebraska; BS and MS from University of Nebraska-Lincoln) coordinating the WiscWeeds Lab activities, Extension programming, and circulation of outreach publications.

Ryan DeWerff (Weed Science Research Specialist):

Ryan is a Research Specialist at UW-Madison (from Nokomis, Illinois; BS from University of Illinois and MS from University of Wisconsin-Madison) managing the Wisconsin Herbicide Evaluation Program and providing technical assistance for ongoing program and graduate student research projects.

Dr. Oliveira is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at UW-Madison (from Minas Gerais, Brazil; BS and MS from Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, and PhD from University of Nebraska-Lincoln) investigating the distribution and management of herbicide-resistant weeds in Wisconsin and evaluating weed management strategies in corn, soybeans, and small grains. He trains the Badger Weeds Team, mentors graduate and undergraduate students in the Cropping Systems Weed Science program and assists with the Wisconsin Herbicide Evaluation Program.

Dan Smith (UW-NPM Southwest Wisconsin Regional Agronomy Specialist):

Dan is a Southwest Regional Agronomist for the UW-Madison Nutrient and Pest Management Program (from Walnut, Illinois; BS from University of Wisconsin-Platteville and MS from University of Wisconsin-Madison) providing technical assistance towards weed science research and outreach activities.

Sarah Striegel (MS Weed Science Graduate Student):

Sarah is an MS graduate student at UW-Madison (from What Cheer, Iowa; BS from Iowa State University) working on optimizing dicamba use in RR2Xtend soybean systems and mitigating potential for off-target movement.

Nikola Arsenijevic (MS Weed Science Graduate Student):

Nikola is an MS graduate student at UW-Madison (from Serbia; BS from University of Belgrade) working on evaluating the influence of PRE herbicides on early season soybean development and the impact of cultural, mechanical, and chemical practices on rate of soybean canopy closure development and weed suppression.

Victor Ribeiro (Visiting MS Weed Science Graduate Student):

Victor is a visiting MS graduate student at UW-Madison (from Minas Gerais, Brazil; BS from Federal University of Jequitinhonha & Mucuri Valleys) working on evaluating the soil residual activity of multiple single active ingredient PRE-emergence soybean herbicides and their effect on soybean nodulation and N fixation.

Felipe Faleco (MS Weed Science Graduate Student):

Felipe is an MS graduate student at UW-Madison (from Sao Paulo, Brazil; BS from Sao Paulo State University) working on evaluating the distribution of herbicide resistance in waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and giant ragweed populations from Wisconsin.

Kolby Grint (MS Weed Science Graduate Student):

Kolby is an UW-Madison MS graduate student (from Sargent, Nebraska; BS from University of Nebraska-Lincoln) working on evaluating the effects of cover crops on herbicide carryover and weed seedbank distribution in corn-soybean cropping systems.

Haleigh Ortmeier-Clarke (MS Weed Science Graduate Student):

Haleigh is an MS graduate student at UW-Madison (from Stayton, Minnesota; BS from University of Minnesota) working on evaluating cultivation methods for industrial hemp production.

Alex Rosa (PhD Agronomy Graduate Student - University of Nebraska):

Alex is a PhD graduate student at UNL (from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; BS from Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and MS from Kansas State University) working on evaluating the impact of wheat stubble management and cover crops on semi-arid rainfed cropping systems of western Nebraska.

Former Lab Members

No one has left (thankfully) or graduated from our program yet!

Rodrigo Werle

Assistant Professor & Extension Cropping Systems Weed Scientist

Rodrigo Werle is an Assistant Professor and Extension Cropping Systems Weed Scientist in the Agronomy Department at UW-Madison. His research and extension program (WiscWeeds) focuses on agroecologically-based approaches to address sustainable weed management in corn, soybeans and small grains in Wisconsin and beyond. The program also focuses on weed management strategies that can help address herbicide resistance, protect water quality, enhance agroecosystems services and increase food security.

Rodrigo was born in a small farming community of Dutch immigrants in the state of São Paulo, in southeastern Brazil. His early passion for Agriculture led him to study Agronomy in Brazil and Weed Science at Nebraska, which then brought him and his family to beautiful Wisconsin in 2018.